Up-Do hair styles

Whatever the occassion - be it a wedding, evening out or everyday wear - an up-do is a great way to make a hair statement. Take a look at our photo gallery of the latest up-do hairstyles from the catwalk, red carpet and salon look books for long, short and mid-length hair - updated regularly as part of The Stylist Hair 100 - featuring expert how to tips for recreating some of the looks.

Click on an image to open the gallery.

Jessica Alba's top knot

Jessica Alba matched her mandarin collar dress with an Oriental-inspired top knot for a perfect east-meets-west beauty look at the Shiatzy Chen Paris Fashion Week show.

Image: Rex

Giles A/W 2012

Anita, Stylist's Beauty Assistant says:

"Without a doubt the hair created by Paul Hanlon for Toni & Guy and the make-up by Lucia Pieroni for MAC are two of my favourites looks of the season. Giles burned holes through some of his dresses with a bunsen burner, so the shards of fabric that were left over became the bows for the backstage hair."

Jonathan Saunders A/W 2012

Apply a generous amount of Fekkai Coiff Extra Body Mousse through the roots of the hair incorporating hair on the side of the head. Blow dry the hair super straight and off the face using a Fekkai Large Round Brush, ensuring the hair has no volume and a clean, blunt finish at the ends.

Divide the hair into four sections and, taking the back section, spray with Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray and pull the hair into a tight ponytail, just above the nape of the neck. Next, one at a time, pull the remaining sections into the ponytail, ensuring the hair sits flat to the head.

Fasten with an elastic. Once the ponytail is in place, start binding the pony from the base and continue to wrap the elastic until it is about an inch and a half from the head allowing the ponytail to sit away from the head.

Take sections of the hair and spritz with Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Mist to add shine and then straighten using irons, creating a glass like and silky finish.

Once straightened, pump a small amount of Fekkai Advanced Silky Straight Ironless Serum in the hands and smooth down the ponytail from mid lengths to ends to ensure there are no flyaways.

Paul Costelloe spring/summer 2012

Hair is prepped with label.m Volume Mousse, dried through and then pulled into a tight ponytail on the crown. Set length of pony tail on heated rollers for shape and form. Once cool, take out and coil in an 's' formations on top of the head for an archetectural shape. Secure coils with elastic instead of pins- tying in place for a modern, yet bulk-free finish. Use wax to smooth loose strands and hairspray to set.

Image: Toni & Guy

Oscar De La Renta A/W 2012

A gorgeous retro hairstyle on the catwalk at Oscar De La Renta - we love the silk headband and tucked under bob.

Image: Getty Images

Glossy beehive

This sleek take on a sixties beehive reminds us of super-cool girl group The Ronettes.

Image: Mizani

Marchesa A/W 2012

Multiple plaits were strewn across the back of the head for a more relaxed bohemian elegance at Marchesa.

Image: Getty Images

Emma Stone's jewelled hair clip

How to make a simple chignon more elegant? Add a bejewelled accessory at the nape of the neck, like Emma Stone.

Image: Rex Features

Alesha's top knot

The easiest way to look pulled together if you've got long hair, it's no wonder the top-knot is here to stay, as Alesha Dixon proved at the opening of the new Coast store on Oxford Street.

Image: Rex Features

Blake Lively's fishtail plait

Blake Lively looked gorgeous at the premiere of Savages, wearing her hair in a high fishtail plait.

Image: Rex Features

Rockabilly Plait Bun

Try this quirky take on the classic ponytail with a retro high-volume quiff.

Get the Look: Use a volumising blow-dry spray while drying your hair upside down then part hair into two sections while keeping a centre parting. Make the top section the thickest and using a 'Roly Poly' on the left and right sides, wrap hair over on each side and pin under (you will need many grips for this!) just before the parting. Once you are happy with the size of each quiff, spray with a heavy duty texture spray such as Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Perfectly Un-Done Spray Wax (£5.61, Boots) to add edge, definition and hold.

Pompadour quiff

This voluminous up-do works perfectly with spring/summer 2012's ladylike trend. You'll need a lot of kirby grips to pin hair into place, and a super-strong hairspray for hold.

Image: JS Somerset

Todd Lynn, Spring/Summer 2o12

Models at Todd Lynn wore the 'bubble ponytail', a chic update on a summer classic.

Get the look:

Step 1: Prep the hair with label.m Blow Out Spray and blast dry away from the face

Step 2: A low side parting is placed and hair is guided into a ponytail at the nape

Step 3: Two silver clips are attached at the base and an inch down. Then Use fingers to pull the hair in between each clip, to create an almost bubble affect and lightly distress the ponytail with fingers, leaving the front clean

Image: Toni & Guy

Flapper girl curls

This curly style has a twenties vibe - ideal for channelling this season's flapper trend.

Image: Paul Edmonds

Keira Knightley's Grecian up-do

Newly engaged Keira Knightley knew just the style to complement her romantic, floral Valentino dress - a Grecian style up-do with a red headband - she looked every inch the classical heroine.

Image: Rex Features

Katy Perry's Great Gatsby hair look

Decked out in a Great Gatsby-inspired outfit for a charity awards ceremony, Katy Perry completed her look with soft vintage waves and an eye-catching embellished headband.

Image: Rex

Malin Åkerman's polished ponytail

Rock of Ages star Malin Åkerman opted for a super-sleek ponytail – with a wavy texture in the tail - for her appearance at the film’s red carpet premiere in London.

Image: Rex

Ladylike up-do

In a faded pinky grey shade and in a ladylike up-do, this hairstyle ticks several trend boxes for spring/summer 2012.

Hair: Dylan Bradshaw, Dylan Bradshaw Salons for Cloud Nine

Rooney Mara's bowl cut

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara make the bowl cut look chic, with her super short fringe and simple up-do.

Party ponytail

Hairstylist Sam McKnight created this look for the Moschino spring/summer show, but this would make a chic hairstyle for the party season too. Just swap straw for a velvet ribbon.

Get the look: Work Pantene Pro-V Volume and Body Mousse into the roots of the hair while still damp and blow-dry smooth using a flat bristle brush, concentrating on building volume at the roots by lifting hair vertically from the head. Once completely dry, gather the hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with a snag-free elastic. Next, loop the ponytail back on itself and tie the end of the tail into the base of the original pony, securing the loop in place, with a couple of inches of hair ends splaying out.

Image: Pantene

Poppy Delevigne's side braid

Poppy tones down the full-on glamour of a sequinned Matthew Williamson dress with a sweet side braid.

Giles autumn/winter 2011

The severe buns at Giles were given a girly touch with a black satin bow.

Get the look:

Prep hair with label.m Volume Mousse to create the perfect malleable texture. Use label.m Dry Shampoo to freshen and clean the hair for a very natural feel and then pull back into a surgically tight ponytail. Creating an original ballerina-esque bun, take the ponytail and loop half of the length under, then wrap the end around the elastic. Finally, pull the sides of the bun around to achieve a controlled shape.

The low, knotted bun

An elegant up-do for the party season that's surprisingly easy to achieve.

Get the look:

Blow dry your hair smooth spraying Beautifully Straightened Protect, Flatten and Shine Spray through the lengths. Part your hair into a sleek side parting and separate the section, clipping it away. Brush the back section into a low ponytail, and secure with a hair elastic. Twist the ponytail, and coil it back around itself to form a bun shape, pinning securely with bobby pins. Take the separated side section, and sweep it around the bun, securing it in place with bobby pins. Keep the front fluid but neat. Spray with Beautifully Moisturised Moisture Barrier Hairspray to give the style strong hold, without weighing it down.

Image: Trevor Sorbie

Bora Aksu autumn/winter 2011

Models at Bora Aksu wore their hair in severe centre partings at the front, but hair was piled high and back-combed behind the head for a soft, modern version of the beehive.

Todd Lynn autumn/winter 2011

The skinny pony

A unusual take on one of autumn/winter 2011's hottest styles.

Get the look:

Using Sleek and Chic blow dry cream, take a circular section around the crown and make a high pony tail. Blast dry the remainder of the hair and straighten, tucking the ends underneath to create the rounded shape.

Ben Randle, Head stylist for Umberto Giannini

Image: Umberto Giannini

Alice Palmer autumn/winter 2011

The new way to wear a top-knot? At an angle and with plaits woven in to create texture.

Alice Eve's Bardot chignon

Bouffant beehive

With the sixties a major catwalk trend this autumn/winter, the beehive is back as the up-do of choice.

Get the look: Section your hair ensuring your fringe and a decent-sized front section are left free. Spray roots with root-booster, then, gradually working your way backwards, back comb sections of your hair using hairspray on each section. Once all the hair is back combed, lightly fasten your hair in place near the base of your head using as many Kirby grips as needed and spray again with hairspray. With the separated front sections, pin back either side towards the back of your head and fasten in place with more grips. Add a final coating of hair spray to ensure the style stays in place.

Marc Jacobs autumn/winter 2011

Elegant, clean twist

The hair is pure and neat – it almost has a forties feel. The hair is smooth and tight to the head to create a clean line that elegantly elongates the neck

Get the Look: Give hair some grip by prepping with Aveda Volumizing Tonic and blow drying away from the face with a round brush. Let hair part naturally and smooth with a fine-toothed comb. Twist both sides of the hair from just above the ear, working your way to the back of the head along the parietal ridge. Clip hair at the back of the head and either twist into a bun or incorporate the ends of each twist into the roll on the opposite side of the head. Smooth with a fine-toothed comb, using Aveda Air Control Hair Spray to eliminate wisps. Finish with Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine.”

Image: Aveda

Elizabeth Olsen's top knot

Chic actress and the 'other' Olsen twin Elizabeth's up-do is one of the chicest we've seen on the red carpet this week.

Futuristic twist plait

This space age style give the traditional schoolgirl plait a futuristic, modern edge.

Get the Look: The key to this look is getting hair to a thick, matte texture, as silky soft hair will fall out very quickly, so prep hair with some texture spray while blow-drying. Pull hair into a high pony tail and then create a large plait. Get some clear, thin hair bands and attach around the plait at random sections, use two or three bands per bend and spray with hairspray - try Umberto Giannini Beauty Secrets Catwalk Beauty Hairspray for strong hold without crispiness.

Image: Umberto Giannini

Collette Dinnigan a/w 2011

Thick ponytail plaits with fetish-inspired accessories were all over the autumn/winter runways.

Beyonce's bouncy ponytail

Bardot Beehive

This coquettish hairstyle is the perfect pairing for the sixties styles seen on the A/W 2011 catwalks.

Get the look: Prep the hair with volumising spray and large rollers at the root. Once cool, remove rollers and brush out the hair with a Mason Pearson brush. Taking a large halo section from around the

crown area, tease hair using a pintail comb into a bee-hive shape. Spray with hairspray for added hold.

Image: Headmasters

Ophelia's braided bun

Actress Ophelia Lovibond's braided up-do is the perfect festival hairstyle - it looks and keeps you cool on a hot day, and won't fall out of place after a hard day's dancing.

Zooey Deschanel's side bun

Tousled up-do

This romantic up-do is perfect for a wedding, and was created for the English National Ballet Summer Party.

Get the look: Tousle damp hair naturally with a towel, and then put into a loose side ponytail with a centre parting. Twist the length of hair and pin messily to the back of the head to create a soft and natural effect.

Alexander McQueen S/S 2011

Molly Sims's romantic plait

Model and actress Molly Sims rocked a Heidi-style braid at a Manhattan store opening. The romantic look is perfect for keeping cool during summer in the city and was a catwalk hit at Erdem's S/S11 show too.

Voluminous up-do

The soft, sweeping waves of this up-do make this a more romantic alternative to the usual stiff, hairsprayed styles we see on the red carpet. This would make a beautiful, dramatic wedding hair style.

Stylist: Michael Barnes

Olivia Wilde's sculptural ponytail

At the Berlin premiere of her new film, Cowboys and Aliens, Olivia Wilde sported a slick ponytail which looked straightforward enough from the front, but revealed a curiously divided back section when she turned around.

Rag & Bone S/S 2011

Smart side-plait

This asymmetric take on the classic plait has a cool, modern feel.

Tip: To tame frizzy hair and create this smooth look apply a small amount of Umberto Giannini Sleek and Chic Seriously Straight Anti-Frizz Serum (£4.99) to wet hair focusing on mid lengths and ends then plait hair to the side and pin into place.

Image: Ann Brightmore, Umberto Giannini Stourbridge

Pin curl quiff

This curly up-do was created by top salon Equus for the English National Ballet Summer party.

Get the look: Blow dry hair with a round brush, then use velcro hot rollers all over the head. Remove the rollers gently and divide the hair into 5 sections: the top, each side, the crown and nape of neck. Once hair is divided into sections, gather all the hair in each section, roll onto the base of the head and pin in the direction you want the roll to fall, then secure this look with pins. For the crown of the head roll hair into a quiff and secure, and then style hair at the nape of the neck into a French plait or chignon.

Juno Temple's half-done beehive

The Vintage Double Knot

This elegant up-do is the perfect style for wedding season or formal occasions.

Get the look: Sweep hair into a pony at the crown making sure the hair is smoothed to the head (try L’Oréal Professionnel tecni art fix design). Wrap hair around the pony base and grip into place.

Image: Headmasters

Plaited ponytail

This edgy up-do looks complicated but is easy to recreate with straight hair - simply create an uneven plait with the ponytail, secure the tip with an elastic, and backcomb the ends.

Stylist Tip: "They key to creating this style is all in the preparation and the bedding within the hair which enables the plait to sit high on the scalp. It is also very important to invest in good quality styling products when creating this look."

Alexander Turnbull, Alexander Hair and Beauty

Image: Andrew O’Toole

Blake Lively's fishtail plait

Blake Lively wears her hair in a mermaid-esque fishtail plait, with a gold flower-shaped clip to secure the style in place.

Rock 'n Roll bun

A contemporary take on the traditional updo, try this bespoke bun for an edgy evening look.

Tip: Pull your hair into a high ponytail and wind hair loosely round into a bun. Secure with kirby grips and finish with spraying a light layer of hairspray such as Umberto Giannini Rock ‘N’ Roll Hairspray. For added volume, gently pull strands out from the bun so it doesn’t stay slick on the head.

Prophetik S/S 11

Off to a festival this summer? These intricate plaits may look complicated, but they are a fuss-free alternative to lacklustre festival hair.

Tip: "The Spring/Summer 2011 catwalks were awash with intricate detail- twists, plaits and pinning- the perfect second day style rescue for festival hair. Sweep hair to one side and try a fish tail plait on the front section of your hair and pin behind the ear to keep you hair off of your face."

Daks S/S 2011

A naturally lived-in up-do or "shaggy bun" is a key hairstyle to try this Spring/Summer. At Daks dry hair was pulled off the face and into a messy top-knot on one side of the head, with a black fabric head-band keeping hair in place.

Nathan Jenden S/S 11

Models wore crimped bunches to match Nathan Jenden's S/S 11 collection, inspired by Diana Ross and The Wiz. Wear this look with a maxi dress and flares to channel the seventies trend this summer.

Tip: To create frizzy frizz, curl large mid-length sections of the hair using tongs, and use crimping irons on smaller sections, before brushing out. Tie hair into two bunches using clear hair elastics and fluff hair to enhance frizz.

Alice Band Braid

Perfect for the festival season or a holiday, this braided up-do will keep you cool and looking stylish as the weather warms up.

Tip: Prep hair with a little volumising spray and blow dry out with a bristle brush. Part hair and then braid around the hairline from behind one ear, over the other and plait to the ends. Roll up the braids into a bun and secure with kirby grips.

Bora Aksu S/S 11

A nod to Audrey Hepburn, the Bora Aksu spring look incorporates dreamy and wispy textures in a textured top knot.

Get the Look: Prep the hair with label.m Volume Mousse using a label.m Large Round Brush to create volume. Massage a series of label.m Matt Paste, Dry Shampoo and Resurrection Style Dust into the roots to build a dry and matted texture. Rake comb sections of the ponytail in the middle of the head and backcomb sections to create varying lengths and a broken feel. Finish by securing the end of the ponytail to the nape leaving a voluminous shape on the profile, a light coating of label.m Hairspray holds the look.

Vanessa Hudgens' loose up-do

Vanessa works a relaxed, boho look at an LA launch party with a loose up-do and a sweeping side fringe.

Tip: Part hair into an extreme side parting, pin hair very loosely at the back, and leave strands to unravel naturally. Pull more hair free for an even more laid back look, and spray with hairspray at the back to secure.

Gwen Stefani's slick up-do

Gwen goes for a twenties-inspired updo, with a marcel wave style fringe.

Tip: To recreate this look, comb hair into an extreme side parting before pinning behind the head in a low bun. Gel the shorter side down and make the longer side into a sweeping fringe. Slick hair down with gel to prevent flyaways.

Proenza Schouler S/S 2011

Nonchalent bed hair with a mattified, dry textured finish was all over the S/S 11 catwalks.

Tip: Apply Bumble and Bumble Texture Cream to towel dried lengths and ends before rough-drying with a diffuser to create a ruffled texture. Twist into a messy bun at the side of the neck for an authentic Proenza Schouler look.

Beehive with hair extensions

Beehive up-do

A slick, retro beehive.

Tip: Starting an inch from the hairline,s eparate the front section of hair and pin to one side, out of the way. Brush the remainder of the hair into a side parting and from the top, backcomb sections of hair letting them fall forwards. Work your way to the nape of your neck. Once all hair is backcombed, mould into desired beehive shape and height. Gather hair at the back and pin with hair grips to support height at the front of the head. Once the beehive is fixed, unpin the front hair section and gently brush it over the front and sides of the beehive, smoothing it as you go, and pin at the back. Generously cover with a firm hold hairspray.

Retro up-do

Hair stylist Eugene Souleiman says, ‘The hair was inspired by a classic silhouette of the fifties but I didn’t want to go too retro: this look is about texture and abundance.’ Eugene created a feminine and dlity style mixing proportion, colour and volume. The hair was super shiny and scraped back away from the face.

Tip: Blow dry hair straight. Brush into a smooth, tight ponytail and then back comb. Loop the ponytail over, from front to back, and secure at the base. Leave sufficient hair to wrap around and conceal the base. Divide the ends

Image: Eugene Souleiman for Wella Professionals at Moschino

Staerk S/S 2011

Slicked-down hair and a top French roll bring a minimalist look to this classic up-do.